R.I. gun-safety task force releases final recommendations

By Katherine Gregg
Providence Journal Political Writer

Posted Oct 4, 2018 at 4:06 PM
Updated Oct 4, 2018 at 7:16 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The 43-member gun-safety task force that Gov. Gina Raimondo created last April in the wake of the Parkland, Florida, high school massacre released its final recommendations on Thursday, and they include passage of a passel of new laws that the Democratic leaders of Rhode Island’s General Assembly have thus far been unwilling to bring to a vote.

They include: a ban on ammunition feeding devices — known as magazines — with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, prohibiting the concealed carry of firearms on school grounds and within 1,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools and in government buildings, and raising the age to buy a “long gun” from 18 to 21, where it already stands for handguns.

The group stopped short, however, of backing a ban on military-style assault weapons, opting to call instead for a new requirement that they be registered with a state or local law enforcement agency.
Full Story

Memo Alert - Firearms in Schools

It has been brought to RIDE’s attention that there is confusion among local education agency (LEA) personnel regarding who may carry a firearm, including a concealed-carry firearm, in a school. This confusion stems from inconsistencies among various state laws, regulations, and LEA policies that govern safety and firearms on school grounds.

With the start of the new school year, this document provides direction on how to navigate this issue and will be binding on LEAs and their personnel, effective immediately and until such time as the underlying laws are reconciled. The intent of this document is to ensure that all students in Rhode Island attend safe and secure schools, and is based on feedback from public safety experts, including the State Police, local police, as well as school administrators, teachers, and town officials.

Full Document

SeeVotesRI.org

It can be hard to understand how state government works and why policies can be slow to change. See Votes RI is using maps to explore issues important to Rhode Islanders by visualizing endorsements, rankings and votes by RI state senators and representatives. Get to know your elected officials.

Gun Control
Reproductive Rights
Environment
Earned Sick Time

School Safety Meeting

In the wake of the shooting tragedy in Florida, a school safety meeting and Q&A will be held on Wednesday, March 7th at 6:30pm at MLK Elementary at 35 Camp Street. The meeting is organized by City Councilor Nirva Lafortune and will include school, city, and police officials.

LWVRI Legislative Update for March 22

Voting and Gun Safety

On March 22, the House and Senate Judiciary Committees will each consider the other body’s bills to approve electronic voter registration in Rhode Island...

At this week's hearings the League will focus  on gun safety. Today, the House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on a variety of bills related to gun safety. The League is opposing some of these and opposing others. Go to the League in Action blog and get details, bill numbers, and a list of the Judiciary Committee members...

Full Post

League Positions

Impact on Issues is an indispensable resource for League leaders. A clear understanding of LWVUS positions, how they interrelate and how they can complement and reinforce state, local and Inter-League Organization (ILO) positions, will strengthen the League’s “Impact on Issues” at all levels of government.
http://lwv.org/content/impact-issues-online-edition

See League positions on:

Representative Government (includes: Voting Rights, Elections, etc.)

International Relations (includes: Arms Control, Military Spending, etc.)

Natural Resources (includes: Agriculture, Environmental Protection, etc.)

Social Policy (includes: Health Care, Immigration, Gun Control, etc.)

 

SAVE THE DATE!: - Forum: "Legislation Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence."

Rhode Island Public Health Association presents: 

"Legislation Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence."

2014

Public Health Think Tank Forum

Join us to discuss
Gun Violence Legislation
submitted for the 2014 session

Thursday, April 3, 2014
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
State Room
Rhode Island State House
        co-sponsored by
     The RI Coalition Against Gun Violence

Free Event registration to follow

The mission of the Public Health Think Tank, established by statute in 2006, is to facilitate collaboration between scientists, academics, advocates and legislators when prioritizing and promoting health issues. RIPHA members are available to assist legislators with health policy research and issues.